Serbia: Bonino, Italy beside Belgrade for Europe

Efforts on Kosovo, reforms to be recognized. Yes to talk' date

(ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, JUNE 18 - Italy believes Serbia made a
huge effort and obtained extraordinary results as far as
dialogue with Pristina is concerned, domestic reforms and
regional reconciliation, and will therefore ask the European
Council at the end of June to immediately schedule a date to
start EU membership talks. With this message Italian Foreign
Minister will travel Tuesday to Belgrade where a round of talks
with top Serbian officials are scheduled in the afternoon.

In a long interview published Tuesday by Vecernje Novosti,
Serbia's largest-circulation paper, Bonino stressed the
excellent state of bilateral relations with Serbia which she
said are a priority for Italy.

'There is no doubt Serbia can continue to count on Italy's
full support', the foreign minister said. 'Belgrade plays a
strategic role in the wider regional context and I believe the
Serbian government is seriously engaged in a coherent process of
reforms'.

'Progress made in the past few months - in particular
results of dialogue with Pristina mediated by the EU - would
have been unconceivable only a year ago', added Bonino,
observing that the agreement on Kosovo on April 19 is a
fundamental turning point in the recent history of the Balkans
within a European prospect, starting 'an irreversible process'.
'For all these reasons we expect the European Council at
the end of June to recognize Serbia's efforts, deciding to open
membership talks. Italy, which before others and more than
others has believed in Serbia's return in Europe, will play its
part till the end to reach this result', said Bonino, and 'will
ask to set the date for the beginning of negotiations'.